Privacy Policy of Albanian Engineering of Switzerland (AES)
Effective Date: June 24, 2025
Last updated: August 2025
1. Introduction
AES (operating under Swiss nonprofit law) is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains what we collect, why, how, and your rights. It applies to all personal data collected via our website, membership forms, newsletter sign‑ups, events, and other services.
2. Scope of This Policy
Applies to:
- Users of our website and services.
- Members, event attendees, partners, and job applicants.
- Visitors, suppliers to our events.
3. Data We Collect
We may process the following data types:
- Identity & Contact: name, email, phone, postal address, date of birth.
- Professional & Academic: job title, company, education, spoken languages.
- Membership & Engagement: registration date, event attendance, activities.
- Technical & Activity Data: IP addresses, device/browser info, cookies, newsletter clicks.
4. How & Why We Use Data
| Purpose | Data Used | Legal Basis |
| Membership administration | All personal & professional | Consent (when you apply); Contractual/Legitimate interest |
| Communications (news, updates, events) | Contact details, engagement history | Consent |
| Event registration & participation | All relevant personal, logistical, dietary | Contractual necessity; Legitimate interest |
| Website operation & analytics | Technical & cookie data | Legitimate interest (user experience) |
| Compliance & legal obligations | Data required by law | Legal obligation |
| IT/service provider support | Membership, service data | Legally compliant processing clauses with third parties |
5. Data Retention
- Retained as long as necessary to serve the purpose.
- Membership data kept up to 1 year after termination unless you request deletion.
- Event data kept 3–5 years for records and compliance.
- Cookie/analytics data kept per our Cookie Policy.
6. Security
Data storage and backups are managed within Microsoft Azure’s secure cloud infrastructure. All backups are encrypted at rest and in transit using Azure’s built-in encryption standards. The backup strategy follows Microsoft’s Azure Backup framework and complies with applicable data protection and availability standards
7. Data Sharing
We share data only when necessary with:
- Service providers (IT, email tools, event platforms): under strict contractual data processing agreements.
- Legal authorities: when required by law.
- Third-party hosts for events: with your informed consent as needed.
We never sell your data and only share it securely with parties meeting Swiss/EU standards.
8. Cookies & Tracking
Our website uses:
- Strictly necessary cookies for core functions.
- Preference cookies for user settings.
- Analytics cookies to improve user experience (via aggregated, anonymized insights).
- Marketing cookies only with explicit consent.
You can manage or withdraw consent any time via our cookie banner/settings.
9. Your Rights
Under Swiss data protection law and GDPR (if applicable), you have:
- Access: See your data.
- Rectification: Correct errors.
- Erasure: Delete your data (“right to be forgotten”).
- Restriction of processing.
- Objection to processing (e.g., direct marketing).
- Portability: Export your data in a structured format.
- Withdraw Consent anytime (without affecting prior processing).
To exercise any right, contact us at: privacy@albanian‑engineering.ch
If unsatisfied, you may lodge a complaint with the relevant Swiss or EU Data Authority.
10. International Transfers
Your data may be processed or stored outside Switzerland/EU. AES ensures:
- Adequate legal safeguards (e.g., EU Standard Contractual Clauses).
- Strict assurances from recipients — no onwards transfer without your consent.
11. Policy Updates
We may update this policy—for legal, operational, or technological reasons.
We will notify registered members via email and update the “Effective Date” here. Continued use implies acceptance.
12. Contact Information
Data Controller:
Albanian Engineering of Switzerland (AES)
Email: privacy@albanian‑engineering.ch
13. Cookie Policy
Please refer to our separate Cookie Policy for full details on specific cookie categories, retention periods, and management instructions.